PWM control circuit and motor equipped with the same

ABSTRACT

The PWM control circuit is provided. The PWM control circuit includes: a PWM control signal generator that generates a PWM period signal defining a period of a PWM signal and a PWM resolution signal specifying a resolution in one period of the PWM period signal; and a PWM unit that generates the PWM signal based on the PWM period signal and the PWM resolution signal, wherein the PWM control signal generator changes a frequency of the PWM resolution signal while keeping a frequency of the PWM period signal unchanged.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority based on Japanese PatentApplication No. 2007-289222 filed on Nov. 7, 2007, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to PWM control.

2. Description of the Related Art

One proposed PWM control technique is disclosed in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2004-364366.

This related art technique forms a PWM fundamental wave from a basicfrequency signal of a preset frequency and divides the frequency of thePWM fundamental wave to generate a PWM period signal. The PWMfundamental wave specifies a resolution to set a duty cycle in oneperiod of the PWM period signal.

In a system of this related art technique, a change in frequency of thePWM fundamental wave for varying the accuracy of PWM control leads to achange in frequency of the PWM period signal. The changed frequency ofthe PWM period signal may coincide with a resonance frequency of a loadstructure (for example, a motor main body) under PWM control to causeundesirable vibration and noise.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide technology that is ableto allow a change of a resolution in one period of a PWM period signalconstructed to define a period of a PWM signal, while keeping afrequency of the PWM period signal unchanged.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a PWM control circuitis provided. The PWM control circuit comprises: a PWM control signalgenerator that generates a PWM period signal defining a period of a PWMsignal and a PWM resolution signal specifying a resolution in one periodof the PWM period signal; and a PWM unit that generates the PWM signalbased on the PWM period signal and the PWM resolution signal, whereinthe PWM control signal generator changes a frequency of the PWMresolution signal while keeping a frequency of the PWM period signalunchanged.

The PWM control circuit according to this aspect of the invention allowsa change of the resolution in one period of the PWM period signal, whilekeeping the frequency of the PWM period signal unchanged.

The present invention may be actualized by diversity of otherapplications, for example, a PWM control method, a PWM control device, aPWM control system, integrated circuits configured to attain thefunctions of PWM control, computer programs configured to attain thefunctions of PWM control, and recording media where such computerprograms are recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts in sectional view the configuration of the motor unit ofa brushless motor pertaining to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a horizontal sectional view of the lower rotor portion 30L;

FIG. 1C is a horizontal sectional view of the stator portion 10;

FIG. 1D is a conceptual diagram depicting the relationship of the statorportion 10 and the two rotor portions 30U, 30L;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the relationship of sensor output and backelectromotive force waveform;

FIG. 3A is a model diagram illustrating the relationship of appliedvoltage and electromotive force of a coil;

FIG. 3B illustrates an overview of the driving method employed in thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 4A-4D are illustrations depicting forward rotation operation of thebrushless motor of the embodiment;

FIG. 5A-5D are illustrations depicting reverse rotation operation of thebrushless motor of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of a drivecircuit unit in the present embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a phase A driver circuit 120A and aphase B driver circuit 120B included in the driver circuit 160;

FIG. 8A-8E are explanatory views showing the internal configuration andthe operations of the drive controller 100;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the PWMcontrol signal generator 600;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the PLLcircuit 606;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are timing charts showing the operations of the fixedclock signal FLCK, the frequency-divided clock signal RCLK, the clocksignal SDC, and the clock signal PCL;

FIGS. 12A-12C depict correspondence between sensor output waveform andwaveform of the drive signals generated by the PWM unit 530;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram depicting the internal configuration of thePWM unit 530;

FIG. 14 is a timing chart depicting operation of the PWM unit 530 duringforward rotation of the motor;

FIG. 15 is a timing chart depicting operation of the PWM unit 530 duringreverse rotation of the motor;

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the internal configuration and operation ofan excitation interval setting unit 590;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are illustrations comparing various signal waveformsin the case where the motor is driven by a rectangular wave, and wheredriven by a sine wave;

FIG. 18 depicts another configuration example of the phase A drivercircuit 120A and the phase B driver circuit 120B included in the drivercircuit 150;

FIG. 19 shows the speed of the motor of the embodiment in the absence ofload;

FIG. 20 illustrates the internal configuration of the regenerationcontroller 200 and rectifier circuit 250;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a PWM controlcircuit generator 600 b in a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an illustration depicting a projector which utilizes a motoraccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 23A to 23C illustrate a fuel cell type mobile phone which utilizesa motor according to the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an illustration depicting an electrically powered bicycle(power assisted bicycle) as one example of a moving body that utilizes amotor/generator according to the embodiments of the present invention;and

FIG. 25 is an illustration showing an example of a robot which utilizesa motor according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Next, aspects of the present invention will be described in thefollowing order on the basis of embodiments:

-   A. First Embodiment:    -   A1. Overview of Motor Configuration and Operation:    -   A2. Configuration of Drive Circuit Unit:-   B. Second Embodiment:-   C. Modified Examples:

A. First Embodiment A1. Overview of Motor Configuration and Operation

FIG. 1A depicts in sectional view the configuration of the motor unit ofa brushless motor pertaining to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. This motor unit has a stator portion 10, an upper rotorportion 30U, and a lower rotor portion 30L. Each of these components 10,30U, 30L has generally disk-shaped contours. FIG. 1B is a horizontalsectional view of the lower rotor portion 30L. The lower rotor portion30L has four permanent magnets 32L each having generally fan-shapedcontours. The upper rotor portion 30U is identical in design to thelower rotor portion 30L and has been omitted from the illustration. Theupper rotor portion 30U and the lower rotor portion 30L are fastened toa center shaft 64 and rotate simultaneously. The direction ofmagnetization of the magnets 32U, 32L is parallel to the rotating shaft64.

FIG. 1C is a horizontal sectional view of the stator portion 10. Asshown in FIG. 1A, the stator portion 10 has a plurality of phase A coils12A, a plurality of phase B coils 12B, and a support member 14supporting these coils 12A, 12B. FIG. 1C depicts the phase B coils 12B.In this example, there are provided four phase B coils 12B each of whichis wound in a fan-shaped configuration. The phase A coils 12A have thissame design. A drive circuit unit 500 is installed in the stator portion10 as well. As shown in FIG. 1A, the stator portion 10 is fixed in acasing 62.

FIG. 1D is a conceptual diagram depicting the relationship of the statorportion 10 and the two rotor portions 30U, 30L. On the support member 14of the stator portion 10 are provided a magnetic sensor 40A for phase Ause and a magnetic sensor 40B for phase B use. The magnetic sensors 40A,40B are used to detect the position of the rotor portions 30U, 30L (i.e.the phase of the motor). These sensors will hereinafter be referred toas the “phase A sensor” and the “phase B sensor.” The phase A sensor 40Ais positioned at a center location between two of the phase A coils 12A.Similarly, the phase B sensor 40B is positioned at a center locationbetween two of the phase B coils 12B. In this example, the phase Asensor 40A is positioned together with the phase B coils 12B at thelower face of the support member 14, but it could instead be positionedat the upper face of the support member 14. This applies to the phase Bsensor 40B as well. As will be understood from FIG. 1C, in thisembodiment, the phase A sensor 40A is positioned inside one of the phaseB coils 12B, which has the advantage of ensuring space for placement ofthe sensor 40A.

As shown in FIG. 1D, the magnets 32U, 32L are each positioned at aconstant magnetic pole pitch Pm, with adjacent magnets being magnetizedin opposite directions. The phase A coils 12A are arranged at constantpitch Pc, with adjacent coils being excited in opposite directions. Thisapplies to the phase B coils 12B as well. In the present embodiment, themagnetic pole pitch Pm is equal to the coil pitch Pc, and in terms ofelectrical angle is equivalent to π. An electrical angle of 2π isassociated with the mechanical angle or distance of displacement whenthe phase of the drive signal changes by 2π. In the present embodiment,when the phase of the drive signal changes by 2π, the rotor portions30U, 30D undergo displacement by the equivalent of twice the magneticpole pitch Pm. The phase A coils 12A and the phase B coils 12B arepositioned at locations phase-shifted by π/2 from each other.

The magnets 32U of the upper rotor portion 30U and the magnets 32L ofthe lower rotor portion 30L are positioned with their magnetic poleswhich face towards the stator portion 10 having mutually differentpolarity (N pole and S pole). In other words, the magnets 32U of theupper rotor portion 30U and the magnets 32L of the lower rotor portion30L are positioned with their opposite poles facing one another. As aresult, as shown at the right end in FIG. 1D, the magnetic field betweenthese magnets 32U, 32L will be represented by substantially straightmagnetic field lines and will be closed between these magnets 32U, 32L.It will be appreciated that this closed magnetic field is stronger thanthe open magnetic field shown in FIG. 26 discussed previously. As aresult, magnetic field utilization efficiency will be higher, and itwill be possible to improve motor efficiency. In preferred practice,magnetic yokes 34U, 34L made of a ferromagnetic body will be disposedrespectively on the outside faces of the magnets 32U, 32L. The magneticyokes 34U, 34L make it possible to further strengthen the magnetic fieldin the coils. However, the magnetic yokes 34U, 34L may be omitted.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the relationship of sensor output and backelectromotive force waveform. FIG. 2A is identical to FIG. 1D. FIG. 2Bshows an exemplary waveform of back electromotive force generated by thephase A coils 12A. FIGS. 2C and 2D show exemplary waveforms of sensoroutputs SSA, SSB of the phase A sensor 40A and the phase B sensor 40B.These sensors 40A, 40B can generate sensor outputs SSA, SSB of shapesubstantially similar to the back electromotive force of the coilsduring motor operation. The back electromotive force of the coils 12Ashown in FIG. 2B tends to rise together with motor speed but itswaveform shape (sine wave) maintains substantially similar shape. HallICs that utilize the Hall effect, for example, could be employed as thesensors 40A, 40B. In this example, the sensor output SSA and the backelectromotive force Ec are each a sine wave or waveform approximating asine wave. As will be discussed later, the drive control circuit of thismotor, utilizing the sensor outputs SSA, SSB, applies voltage of shapesubstantially similar to the back electromotive force Ec to therespective coils 12A, 12B.

An electric motor functions as an energy conversion device that convertsbetween mechanical energy and electrical energy. The backelectromagnetic force of the coils represents mechanical energy of theelectric motor converted to electrical energy. Consequently, whereelectrical energy applied to the coils is converted to mechanical energy(that is, where the motor is driven), it is possible to drive the motorwith maximum efficiency by applying voltage of similar waveform to theback electromagnetic force. As will be discussed below, “voltage ofsimilar waveform to the back electromagnetic force” means voltage thatgenerates current flowing in the opposite direction from the backelectromagnetic force.

FIG. 3A is a model diagram illustrating the relationship of appliedvoltage and electromotive force of a coil. Here, the coil is simulatedin terms of AC back electromotive force Ec and resistance Rc. In thiscircuit, a voltmeter V is parallel-connected to the AC applicationvoltage Ei and the coil. The back electromotive force Ec is also termed“induced voltage Ec” and the application voltage Ei is also termed“exciting voltage Ei.” When AC voltage Ei is applied to the coil todrive the motor, back electromotive force Ec will be generated adirection of current flow opposite that of the application voltage Ei.When a switch SW is opened while the motor is rotating, the backelectromotive force Ec can be measured with the voltmeter V. Thepolarity of the back electromotive force Ec measured with the switch SWopen will be the same as the polarity of the application voltage Eimeasured with the switch SW closed. The phrase “application of voltageof substantially similar waveform to the back electromagnetic force”herein refers to application of voltage having the same polarity as, andwaveform of substantially similar shape to, the back electromotive forceEc measured by the voltmeter V.

FIG. 3B illustrates an overview of the driving method employed in thepresent embodiment. Here, the motor is simulated by the phase A coils12A, the permanent magnets 32U, and the phase A sensor 40A. When therotor having the permanent magnets 32U turns, AC voltage Es (also termed“sensor voltage Es”) is generated in the sensor 40A. This sensor voltageEs has a waveform shape substantially similar to that of the inducedvoltage Ec of the coil 12A. Thus, by generating PWM signal whichsimulates the sensor voltage Es for on/off control of the switch SW itwill be possible to apply to the coils 12A exciting voltage Ei ofsubstantially similar waveform to the induced voltage Ec. The excitingcurrent Ii at this time will be given by Ii=(Ei−Ec)/Rc.

As noted previously, when driving a motor, it is possible to drive themotor with maximum efficiency through application of voltage of waveformsimilar to that of the back electromagnetic force. It can be appreciatedthat energy conversion efficiency will be relatively low in proximity tothe midpoint (in proximity to 0 voltage) of the sine wave waveform ofback electromotive force, while conversely energy conversion efficiencywill be relatively high in proximity to the peak of the backelectromotive force waveform. Where a motor is driven by applyingvoltage of waveform similar to that of the back electromotive force,relatively high voltage can be applied during periods of high energyconversion efficiency, thereby improving efficiency of the motor. On theother hand, if the motor is driven with a simple rectangular waveformfor example, considerable voltage will be applied in proximity to theposition where back electromotive force is substantially 0 (midpoint) somotor efficiency will drop. Also, when voltage is applied during suchperiods of low energy conversion efficiency, due to eddy currentvibration will be produced in directions other than the direction ofrotation, thereby creating a noise problem.

As will be understood from the preceding discussion, the advantages ofdriving a motor through application of voltage of similar waveform tothe back electromotive force are improved motor efficiency and reducedvibration and noise.

FIG. 4A-4D are illustrations depicting forward rotation operation of thebrushless motor of the embodiment. FIG. 4A depicts the state just beforethe phase reaches 0. The letters “N” and “S” shown at locations of thephase A coils 12A and the phase B coils 12B indicate the excitationdirection of these coils 12A, 12B. When the coils 12A, 12B are excited,forces of attraction and repulsion are generated between the coils 12A,12B and the magnets 32U, 32L. As a result, the rotor portions 30U, 30Lturn in the forward rotation direction (rightward in the drawing). Atthe timing of the phase going to 0, the excitation direction of thephase A coils 12A reverses (see FIGS. 2A-2D). FIG. 4B depicts a statewhere the phase has advanced to just before π/2. At the timing of thephase going to π/2, the excitation direction of the phase B coils 12Breverses. FIG. 4C depicts a state where the phase has advanced to justbefore π. At the timing of the phase going to π, the excitationdirection of the phase A coils 12B again reverses. FIG. 4D depicts astate where the phase has advanced to just before 3π/2. At the timing ofthe phase going to 3π/2, the excitation direction of the phase B coils12B again reverses.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 2C and 2D as well, at times at which thephase equals an integral multiple of π/2 the sensor outputs SSA, SSBwill go to zero, and thus driving force will be generated from only oneof the two sets of coils 12A, 12B. However, during all periods exceptfor times at which the phase equals integral multiples of π/2, it willbe possible for the sets of coils 12A, 12B of both phases to generatedriving force. Consequently, high torque can be generated using the setsof coils 12A, 12B of both phases.

As will be apparent from FIG. 4A, the phase A sensor 40A is positionedsuch that the location at which the polarity of its sensor outputswitches will be situated at a location where the center of a phase Acoil 12A faces the center of a permanent magnet 32U. Similarly, thephase B sensor 40B is positioned such that the location at which thepolarity of the sensor output switches will be situated at a locationwhere the center of a phase B coil 12A faces the center of a permanentmagnet 32L. By positioning the sensors 40A, 40B at these locations, itwill be possible to generate from the sensors 40A, 40B the sensoroutputs SSA, SSB (FIGS. 2C and 2D) which have substantially similarwaveform to the back electromotive force of the coils.

FIG. 5A-5D are illustrations depicting reverse rotation operation of thebrushless motor of the embodiment. FIG. 5A-5D respectively depictsstates where the phase has reached just before 0, π/2, π, and 3/π2.Reverse rotation operation can be accomplished, for example, byreversing the polarity of the drive voltages of the coils 12A, 12B tofrom that of the respective drive voltages during forward rotationoperation.

A2. Configuration of Drive Circuit Unit

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting an internal configuration of a drivecircuit unit in the present embodiment. The drive circuit unit 500 has aCPU 110, a drive controller 100, a regeneration controller 200, a drivercircuit 150, a rectifier circuit 250, and a power supply unit 300. Thetwo controllers 100, 200 are connected to the CPU 110 via a bus 102. Thedrive controller 100 and the driver circuit 150 are circuits forcarrying out control in instances where driving force is to be generatedin the electric motor. The regeneration controller 200 and the rectifiercircuit 250 are circuits for carrying out control in instances wherepower from the electric motor is to be regenerated. The regenerationcontroller 200 and the rectifier circuit 250 will be referred tocollectively as a “regeneration circuit.” The drive controller 100 willalso be referred to as a “drive signal generating circuit.” The powersupply unit 300 is a circuit for supplying various power supply voltagesto other circuits in the drive circuit unit 500. In FIG. 6, forconvenience, only the power lines going from the power supply unit 300to the drive controller 100 and the driver circuit 150 are shown; powerlines leading to other circuits have been omitted.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a phase A driver circuit 120A and aphase B driver circuit 120B included in the driver circuit 150 (FIG. 6).The phase A driver circuit 120A is an H bridge circuit for delivering ACdrive signals DRVA1, DRVA2 to the phase A coils 12A. The white circlesnext to terminal portions of blocks which indicate drive signals denotenegative logic and indicate that the signal is inverted. The arrowslabeled IA1, IA2 respectively indicate the direction of current flowwith the A1 drive signal DRVA1 and the A2 drive signal DRVA2. Theconfiguration of the phase B driver circuit 120B is the same as theconfiguration of the phase A driver circuit 120A.

FIG. 8A-8E are explanatory views showing the internal configuration andthe operations of the drive controller 100 (FIG. 6). The drivecontroller 100 includes a PWM control signal generator 600, PWM units530, a moving direction register 540, multipliers 550, encoders 560, ADconverters 570, voltage control value registers 580, and excitationinterval setters 590. The drive controller 100 is a circuit configuredto generate both a driving signal for the phase A and a driving signalfor the phase B. The PWM control signal generator 600 and the movingdirection register 540 are commonly used for the phase A and the phaseB. The other components of the drive controller 100 are providedindividually for the phase A and the phase B. While only the componentsfor the phase A are shown in FIG. 8A as a matter of convenience, anotherset of the same components are provided for the phase B in the drivecontroller 100.

The PWM control signal generator 600 generates a clock signal SDC havinga preset frequency and a clock signal PCL having a frequency of N timesas much as the frequency of the clock signal SDC. The value N is set inadvance by the CPU 110. The internal structure of the PWM control signalgenerator 600 will be explained later. The PWM unit 530 generates ACdrive signals DRVA1 and DRVA2 (FIG. 7), based on the clock signals PCLand SDC, a multiplication result Ma output from the multiplier 550, aforward/reverse directional value RI output from the moving directionregister 540, a positive/negative sign signal Pa output from the encoder560, and an excitation interval signal Ea output from the excitationinterval setter 590. The operations of these components will bedescribed later.

A value RI indicating the direction for motor rotation is established inthe moving direction register 540, by the CPU 110. In the presentembodiment, the motor will rotate forward when the forward/reversedirection value RI is L level, and rotate in reverse rotation when Hlevel. The other signals Ma, Pa, Ea supplied to the PWM unit 530 aredetermined as follows.

The output SSA of the magnetic sensor 40 is supplied to the AD converter570. This sensor output SSA has a range, for example, of from GND(ground potential) to VDD (power supply voltage), with the middle pointthereof (=VDD/2) being the π phase point of the output waveform, or thepoint at which the sine wave passes through the origin. The AD converter570 performs AD conversion of this sensor output SSA to generate adigital value of sensor output. The output of the AD converter 570 has arange, for example, of FFh to 0h (the “h” suffix denotes hexadecimal),with the median value of 80h corresponding to the middle point of thesensor waveform.

The encoder 560 converts the range of the sensor output value subsequentto the AD conversion, and sets the value of the middle point of thesensor output value to 0. As a result, the sensor output value Xagenerated by the encoder 560 assumes a prescribed range on the positiveside (e.g. between +127 and 0) and a prescribed range on the negativeside (e.g. between 0 and −127). However, the value supplied to themultiplier 560 by the encoder 560 is the absolute value of the sensoroutput value Xa; the positive/negative sign thereof is supplied to thePWM unit 530 as the positive/negative sign signal Pa.

The voltage control value register 580 stores a voltage control value Yaestablished by the CPU 110. This voltage control value Ya, together withthe excitation interval signal Ea discussed later, functions as a valuefor setting the application voltage to the motor. The value Ya canassume a value between 0 and 1.0, for example. Assuming an instancewhere the excitation interval signal Ea has been set with nonon-excitation intervals provided so that all of the intervals areexcitation intervals, Ya=0 will mean that the application voltage iszero, and Ya=1.0 will mean that the application voltage is at maximumvalue. The multiplier 550 performs multiplication of the voltage controlvalue Ya and the sensor output value Xa output from the encoder 560 andconversion to an integer; the multiplication value Ma thereof issupplied to the PWM unit 530.

FIGS. 8B-8E depict operation of the PWM unit 530 in instances where themultiplication value Ma takes various different values. Here, it isassumed that there are no non-excitation intervals, so that allintervals are excitation intervals. The PWM unit 530 is a circuit that,during one period of the clock signal SDC, generates one pulse with aduty factor of Ma/N. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8B-8E, the pulseduty factor of the single-phase drive signals DRVA1, DRVA2 increases inassociation with increase of the multiplication value Ma. The firstdrive signal DRVA1 is a signal that generates a pulse only when thesensor output SSA is positive and the second drive signal DRVA2 is asignal that generates a pulse only when the sensor output SSA isnegative; in FIGS. 8B-8E, both are shown together. For convenience, thesecond drive signal DRVA2 is shown in the form of pulses on the negativeside.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the PWMcontrol signal generator 600. The PWM control signal generator 600includes a fixed frequency oscillator 602, a frequency divider 604, aPLL circuit 606, a frequency division value R storage element 608, and afrequency division value N storage element 610. The fixed frequencyoscillator 602 is a circuit generating a fixed clock signal FCLK of afixed frequency and may be constructed by, for example, a crystaloscillator or a ceramic oscillator. The frequency divider 604 dividesthe frequency of the fixed clock signal FLCK to 1/R and outputs afrequency-divided clock signal RCLK. The PLL circuit 606 generates theclock signal SDC in synchronism with the frequency-divided clock signalRCLK and the clock signal PCL having the frequency of N times as much asthe frequency of the clock signal SDC. The value ‘N times’ represents afrequency division value N of a frequency divider provided in the PLLcircuit 606 as explained later. The frequency division value N is storedin the frequency division value N storage element 610 and is arbitrarilyrewritable by the CPU 110. Similarly a frequency division value R isstored in the frequency division value R storage element 608 and isarbitrarily rewritable by the CPU 110.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the PLLcircuit 606. The PLL circuit 606 includes a phase comparator 620, a loopfilter 622, a voltage control oscillator 624, and a frequency divider626. The frequency-divided clock signal RCLK output from the frequencydivider 604 (FIG. 9) is input into the phase comparator 620 as areference signal. The clock signal SDC output after frequency divisionby the frequency divider 626 is input into the phase comparator 620 as areturn signal. The phase comparator 620 generates an error signal CPSrepresenting a phase difference between the two input signals RCLK andSDC. The error signal CPS is sent to the loop filter 622 including acharge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit included in the loop filter622 generates and outputs a voltage control signal LPS having a voltagelevel corresponding to a pulse level and a pulse number of the errorsignal CPS.

The voltage control oscillator 624 outputs the clock signal PCL havingan oscillation frequency corresponding to the voltage level of thevoltage control signal LPS. The clock signal PCL is subjected tofrequency division to 1/N by the frequency divider 626, based on thefrequency division value N stored in the frequency division value Nstorage element 610. The clock signal SDC output from the frequencydivider 626 is input into the phase comparator 620 to be subjected tophase comparison with the frequency-divided clock signal RCLK asexplained previously. The frequency of the clock signal PCL is convergedto decrease the phase difference between the two input signals RCLK andSDC to zero. A frequency fPCL of the converged clock signal PCL is equalto the product of a frequency fRCLK of the frequency-divided clocksignal RCLK and the frequency division value N. The frequency fPCL ofthe converged clock signal PCL is also equal to the product of afrequency fSDC of the clock signal SDC and the frequency division valueN.

There are the following relations between a frequency fFCLK of the fixedclock signal FCLK, the frequency fRCLK of the frequency-divided clocksignal, the frequency fSDC of the clock signal SDC, and the frequencyfPCL of the clock signal PCL.fFCLK/R=FRCLK  (1)fRCLK=FSDC  (2)fSDC×N=FPCL  (3)

In the above structure, rewriting the frequency division value N changesonly the frequency of the clock signal PCL, while keeping the frequencyof the clock signal SDC unchanged. Increasing the frequency of the clocksignal PCL with the unchanged frequency of the clock signal SDC allowsthe duty cycle to be set more finely. The frequency of the clock signalSDC should be set in advance not to coincide with resonance frequency ofa load structure, such as a motor main body. Such setting effectivelyprevents the occurrence of vibration or noise from the load structurelike the motor main body in the state of changing the frequency of theclock signal PCL. The frequency of the clock signal SDC is setpreferably out of an audio frequency range.

Rewriting the frequency division value R stored in the frequencydivision value R storage element 608 (FIG. 9) changes the frequency ofthe frequency-divided clock signal RCLK and the frequency of the clocksignal SDC. Increasing the frequency of the clock signal SDC ensures PWMcontrol at cycles of narrower time intervals and thereby allows controlwith high precision (for example, attitude control). In this state, therelation of Equation (3) given above is held as the relation between thefrequency fSDC of the clock signal SDC and the frequency fPCL of theclock signal PCL. As mentioned above, it is preferable to change thefrequency of the clock signal SDC in such a manner that the frequency ofthe clock signal SDC does not coincide with the resonance frequency ofthe load structure.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are timing charts showing the operations of the fixedclock signal FLCK, the frequency-divided clock signal RCLK, the clocksignal SDC, and the clock signal PCL. FIG. 11A shows the operations ofthese signals at the frequency division value N equal to 7. In thiscase, seven pulses of the clock signal PCL are generated in one periodof the clock signal SDC. At the frequency division value N equal to 14,fourteen pulses of the clock signal PCL are generated in one period ofthe clock signal SDC as shown in FIG. 11B.

FIGS. 12A-12C depict correspondence between sensor output waveform andwaveform of the drive signals generated by the PWM unit 530. In thedrawing, “Hiz” denotes a state of high impedance where the magneticcoils are not excited. As described in FIGS. 8B-9E, the single-phasedrive signals DRVA1, DRVA2 are generated by PWM control using the analogwaveform of the sensor output SSA. Consequently, using thesesingle-phase drive signals DRVA1, DRVA2 it is possible to supply to thecoils effective voltage that exhibits changes in level corresponding tochange in the sensor outputs SSA.

The PWM unit 530 is constructed such that drive signals are output onlyduring the excitation intervals indicated by the excitation intervalsignal Ea supplied by the excitation interval setting unit 590, with nodrive signals being output at intervals except for the excitationintervals (non-excitation intervals). FIG. 12C depicts drive signalwaveforms produced in the case where excitation intervals EP andnon-excitation intervals NEP have been established by the excitationinterval signal Ea. During the excitation intervals EP, the drive signalpulses of FIG. 12B are generated as is; during the non-excitationintervals NEP, no pulses are generated. By establishing excitationintervals EP and non-excitation intervals NEP in this way, voltage willnot be applied to the coils in proximity to the middle point of the backelectromotive force waveform (i.e. in proximity to the middle point ofthe sensor output), thus making possible further improvement of motorefficiency. Preferably the excitation intervals EP will be establishedat intervals symmetric about the peak point of the back electromotiveforce waveform; and preferably the non-excitation intervals NEP will beestablished in intervals symmetric about the middle point (center) ofthe back electromotive force waveform.

As discussed previously, if the voltage control value Ya is set to avalue less than 1, the multiplication value Ma will be decreased inproportion to the voltage control value Ya. Consequently, effectiveadjustment of application voltage is possible by the voltage controlvalue Ya as well.

As will be understood from the preceding description, with the motor ofthe present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the application voltageusing both the voltage control value Ya and the excitation intervalsignal Ea. In preferred practice, relationships between desiredapplication voltage on the one hand, and the voltage control value Yaand excitation interval signal Ea on the other, will be stored inadvance in table format in memory in the drive circuit unit 500 (FIG.6). By so doing, when the drive circuit unit 500 has received a targetvalue for the desired application voltage from the outside, it will bepossible for the CPU 110, in response to the target value, to set thevoltage control value Ya and the excitation interval signal Ea in thedrive controller 100. Adjustment of application voltage does not requirethe use of both the voltage control value Ya and the excitation intervalsignal Ea, and it would be acceptable to use either one of them instead.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram depicting the internal configuration of thePWM unit 530 (FIG. 8A). The PWM unit 530 has a counter 531, an EXORcircuit 533, and a drive waveform shaping circuit 535. Their operationwill be described below.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart depicting operation of the PWM unit 530 duringforward rotation of the motor. The drawing show the two clock signalsPCL and SDC, the forward/reverse direction value RI, the excitationinterval signal Ea, the multiplication value Ma, the positive/negativesign signal Pa, the counter value CM1 in the counter 531, the output SIof the counter 531, the output S2 of the EXOR circuit 533, and theoutput signals DRVA1, DRVA2 of the drive waveform shaping circuit 535.For each one cycle of the clock signal SDC, the counter 531 repeats anoperation of decrementing the count value CM1 to 0, in sync with theclock signal PCL. The initial value of the count value CM1 is set to themultiplication value Ma. In FIG. 14, for convenience in illustration,negative multiplication values Ma are shown as well; however, thecounter 531 uses the absolute values |Ma| thereof. The output S1 of thecounter 531 is set to H level when the count value CM1 is not 0, anddrops to L level when the count value CM1 is 0.

The EXOR circuit 533 outputs a signal S2 that represents the exclusiveOR of the positive/negative sign signal Pa and the forward/reversedirection value RI. Where the motor is rotating forward, theforward/reverse direction value RI will be at L level. Consequently, theoutput S2 of the EXOR circuit 533 will be a signal identical to thepositive/negative sign signal Pa. The drive waveform shaping circuit 535generates the drive signals DRVA1, DRVA2 from the output S1 of thecounter 531 and the output S2 of the EXOR circuit 533. Specifically, inthe output S1 of the counter 531, the signal during intervals in whichthe output S2 of the EXOR circuit 533 is at L level will be output asthe drive signal DRVA1, and the signal during intervals in which theoutput S2 of the EXOR circuit 533 is at H level will be output as thedrive signal DRVA2. In proximity to the right edge in FIG. 14, theexcitation interval signal Ea falls to L level thereby establishing anon-excitation interval NEP. Consequently, neither of the drive signalsDRVA1, DRVA2 will be output during this non-excitation interval NEP, anda state of high impedance will be maintained.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart depicting operation of the PWM unit 530 duringreverse rotation of the motor. Where the motor is rotating in reverse,the forward/reverse direction value RI will be at H level. As a result,the two drive signals DRVA1, DRVA2 switch relative to FIG. 12, and itwill be appreciated that the motor runs in reverse as a result.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the internal configuration and operation ofan excitation interval setting unit 590. The excitation interval settingunit 590 has an electronic variable resistor 592, a voltage comparators594, 596, and an OR circuit 598. The resistance Rv of the electronicvariable resistor 592 is set by the CPU 110. The voltages V1, V2 ateither terminal of the electronic variable resistor 592 are supplied toone of the input terminals of the voltage comparators 594, 596. Thesensor output SSA is supplied to the other input terminal of the voltagecomparators 594, 596. The output signals Sp, Sn of the voltagecomparators 594, 596 are input to the OR circuit 598. The output of theOR circuit 598 is the excitation interval signal Ea, which is used todifferentiate excitation intervals and non-excitation intervals.

FIG. 16B depicts operation of the excitation interval setting unit 590.The voltages V1, V2 at the terminals of the electronic variable resistor592 are modified by adjusting the resistance Rv. Specifically, theterminal voltages V1, V2 are set to values of equal difference from themedian value of the voltage range (=VDD/2). In the event that the sensoroutput SSA is higher than the first voltage V1, the output Sp of thefirst voltage comparator 594 goes to H level, whereas in the event thatthe sensor output SSA is lower than the second voltage V2, the output Snof the second voltage comparator 596 goes to H level. The excitationinterval signal Ea is a signal derived by taking the logical sum of thethese output signals Sp, Sn. Consequently, as shown at bottom in FIG.16B, the excitation interval signal Ea can be used as a signalindicating excitation intervals EP and non-excitation intervals NEP. Theexcitation intervals EP and non-excitation intervals NEP are establishedby the CPU 110, by adjusting the variable resistance Rv.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are illustrations comparing various signal waveformsin the case where the motor of the embodiment discussed above is drivenby a rectangular wave, and where driven by a sine wave. Where arectangular wave is employed for driving, a drive voltage of rectangularwave shape is applied to the coils. While the drive current is close toa rectangular wave at startup, it decreases as rotation speed increases.This is because the back electromotive force increases in response tothe increased rotation speed (FIG. 2B). With a rectangular wave,however, despite increased rotation speed the current value will notdecline appreciably in proximity to the timing of switching of the drivevoltage at phase=nπ, so a fairly large current will tend to flow.

On the other hand, where a sine wave is employed for driving, PWMcontrol is employed for the drive voltage so that the effective valuesof the drive voltage have sine wave shape. While the drive current isclose to a sine wave at startup, as rotation speed increases the drivecurrent will decrease due to the effects of back electromotive force.With sine wave driving, the current value declines appreciably inproximity to the timing of switching of the drive voltage polarity atphase=nπ. As discussed in the context of FIGS. 2A-2C, generally speakingthe energy conversion efficiency of a motor is low in proximity to thetiming of switching of the drive voltage polarity. With sine wavedriving, the current value during intervals of low efficiency is lowerthan with rectangular wave, making it possible to drive the motor moreefficiently.

FIG. 18 depicts another configuration example of the phase A drivercircuit 120A and the phase B driver circuit 120B included in the drivercircuit 150 (FIG. 6). These driver circuits 120A, 120B are furnishedwith amplifier circuits 122 situated in front of the gate electrodes ofthe transistors which make up the driver circuits 120A, 120B shown inFIG. 8. While the type of transistor also differs from that in FIG. 8,transistors of any type can be used as the transistors. In order to beable to drive the motor of the present invention over a wider operatingrange with regard to torque and speed, it will be preferable toestablish variable power supply voltage VDD of the driver circuits 120A,120B. Where the power supply voltage VDD has been changed, the level ofthe drive signals DRVA1, DRVA2, DRVB1, DRVB2 applied to the gatevoltages of the transistors will change proportionally therewith. By sodoing the motor can be driven using a wider power supply voltage VDDrange. The amplifier circuits 122 are circuits for changing the level ofthe drive signals DRVA1, DRVA2, DRVB1, DRVB2. In preferred practice thepower supply unit 300 of the drive circuit unit 500 shown in FIG. 6 willsupply variable power supply voltage VDD to the driver circuit 150.

FIG. 19 shows the speed of the motor of the embodiment in the absence ofload. As will be apparent from the graph, in the absence of load themotor of the embodiment will rotate at stable speed down to very lowspeed. The reason is that since there is no magnetic core, cogging doesnot occur.

FIG. 20 illustrates the internal configuration of the regenerationcontroller 200 and rectifier circuit 250 shown in FIG. 6. Theregeneration controller 200 comprises an phase A charge switching unit202 and a phase B charge switching unit 204, both connected to the bus102, and an electronically variable resistor 206. The output signals ofthe two charge switching units 202, 204 are applied to the inputterminals of the two AND circuits 211, 212.

The phase A charge switching unit 202 outputs a signal of a “1” levelwhen the regenerative power from the phase A coils 12A is recovered, andoutputs a signal of a “0” level when the power is not recovered. Thesame is true for the phase B charge switching unit 204. The switching ofthose signal levels is conducted with the CPU 110. The presence orabsence of regeneration from the phase A coils 12A and the presence orabsence of regeneration from the phase B coil 12B can be setindependently. Therefore, for example, electric power can be regeneratedfrom the phase B coils 12B, while generating a drive force in the motorby using the phase A coils 12A.

The drive controller 100, similarly, may have a configuration such thatwhether or not the drive force is generated by using the phase A coils12A and whether or not the drive force is generated by using the phase Bcoils 12B can be set independently. In such a case, the motor can beoperated in an operation mode such that a drive force is generated inany one of the two sets of coils 12A, 12B, while electric power isregenerated in the other coils.

The voltage across the electronically variable resistor 206 is appliedto one of the two input terminals of the four voltage comparators221-224. The phase A sensor signal SSA and phase B sensor signal SSB areapplied to the other input terminal of the voltage comparators 221-224.The output signals TPA, BTA, TPB, BTB of the four voltage comparators221-224 can be called “mask signals” or “permission signals”.

The mask signals TPA, BTA for the phase A coils are inputted into the ORcircuit 231, and the mask signals TPB, BTB for the phase B are inputtedinto the other OR circuit 232. The outputs of those OR circuits 231, 232are supplied to the input terminals of the above-mentioned two ANDcircuits 211, 212. The output signals MSKA, MSKB of those AND circuits211, 212 are called “mask signals” or “permission signals”.

The configurations of the four voltage comparators 221-224 and the twoOR circuits 231, 232 are identical to two sets of the voltagecomparators 594, 596, and the OR circuit 598 of the excitation intervalsetting unit 590 shown in FIG. 14A. Therefore, the output signal of theOR circuit 231 for the phase A coils is similar to the excitationinterval signal Ea shown in FIG. 14B. Further, when the output signal ofthe phase A charge switching unit 202 is at a “1” level, the mask signalMSKA outputted from the AND circuit 211 for the phase A coils isidentical to the output signal of the OR circuit 231. Those operationsare identical to those relating to the phase B.

The rectifier circuit 250 has the circuitry for the phase A coils whichincludes a full-wave rectifier circuit 252 comprising a plurality ofdiodes, two gate transistors 261, 262, a buffer circuit 271, and aninverter circuit 272 (NOT circuit). The identical circuitry is alsoprovided for the phase B. The gate transistors 261, 262 are connected tothe power wiring 280 for regeneration. It is preferable to use Schottkydiodes which have excellent characteristics of low Vf as the pluralityof diodes.

During power regeneration, the AC power generated in the phase A coils12A is rectified with the full-wave rectifier circuit 252. The masksignal MSKA for the phase A coils and the inverted signal thereof aresupplied to the gates of the gate transistors 261, 262, and the gatetransistors 261, 262 are ON/OFF controlled accordingly. Therefore,within a period in which at least one of the mask signals TPA, BTAoutputted from the voltage comparators 221, 222 is at an H level, theregenerated power is outputted to the power source wiring 280. On theother hand, within an interval in which both mask signals TPA, BTA areat an L level, power regeneration is inhibited.

As clearly follows from the explanation provided hereinabove, theregenerated power can be recovered by using the regeneration controller200 and rectifier circuit 250. Furthermore, the regeneration controller200 and rectifier circuit 250 can restrict the interval in which theregenerated power from the phase A coils 12A and phase B coils 12B isrecovered, according to the mask signal MSKA for the phase A coils andthe mask signal MSKB for the phase B coils, thereby making it possibleto adjust the quantity of the regenerated power.

As described above, the PWM control signal generator 600 of the firstembodiment readily changes only the frequency of the clock signal PCLwhile keeping the frequency of the clock signal SDC unchanged by simplyrewriting the frequency division value N. The PWM control signalgenerator 600 and the PWM unit 530 (FIG. 8A) correspond to the ‘PWMcontrol circuit’ of the invention. The clock signal SDC and the clocksignal PCL are respectively equivalent to the ‘PWM period signal’ andthe ‘PWM resolution signal’ of the invention. The output S1 of thecounter 531 and the drive signals DRVA1 and DRVA2 correspond to the ‘PWMsignal’ of the invention.

B. Second Embodiment

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a PWM controlcircuit generator 600 b in a second embodiment of the present invention.The PWM control signal generator 600 b of the second embodiment directlyuses the frequency-divided clock signal RCLK as the clock signal SDC butotherwise has the similar structure to that of the PWM control signalgenerator 600 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

The frequency-divided clock signal RCLK and the clock signal SDC havethe same frequencies. The frequency-divided clock signal RCLK is thusdirectly usable as the clock signal SDC on the assumption that aninterval between two rising edges of the frequency-divided clock signalRCLK is one cycle of PWM control. Like the arrangement of the firstembodiment, the arrangement of the second embodiment allows a change ofonly the frequency of the clock signal PCL while keeping the frequencyof the clock signal SDC unchanged. The frequency-divided clock signalRCLK is equivalent to the ‘reference signal’ of the invention.

C. Modified Examples

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments describedhereinabove, and may be reduced to practice in various other wayswithout departing from the spirit thereof. Modifications such as thefollowing are possible, for example.

C1. Modified Example 1

The present invention is applicable to various kinds of devices. Forexample, the present invention is implemented in a motor in any ofvarious devices such as fan motors, clocks (for driving the hands), drumtype washing machines (single rotation), jet coasters, vibrating motors,and the like. Where the present invention is implemented in a fan motor,the various advantages mentioned previously (low power consumption, lowvibration, low noise, minimal rotation irregularity, low heat emission,and long life) is particularly notable. Such fan motors can be employed,for example, as fan motors for various devices such as digital displaydevices, vehicle on-board devices, fuel cell type PCs, fuel cell typedigital cameras, fuel cell type video cameras, fuel cell type mobilephones, various other fuel cell-powered devices, and projectors. Themotor of the present invention may also be utilized as a motor forvarious types of household electric appliances and electronic devices.For example, a motor in accordance with the present invention may beemployed as a spindle motor in an optical storage device, magneticstorage device, polygon mirror drive, or the like. The motor of thepresent invention may also be utilized as a motor for a movable body ora robot.

FIG. 22 is an illustration depicting a projector which utilizes a motoraccording to the present invention. This projector 800 has three lightsources 810R, 810G, 810B for emitting light of the three colors red,green, and blue; liquid crystal light valves 840R, 840G, 840B formodulating light of the three colors; a cross dichroic prism 850 forsynthesizing modulated light of the three colors; a projection lenssystem 860 for projecting light synthesized from the three colors onto ascreen SC; a cooling fan 870 for cooling the interior of the projector;and a controller 880 for controlling the entire projector 800. Any ofthe various brushless motors described above may be used as the motorfor driving the cooling fan 870.

FIGS. 23A to 23C illustrate a fuel cell type mobile phone which utilizesa motor according to the present invention. FIG. 23A shows an exteriorview of a mobile phone 900, and FIG. 23B shows an example of internalconfiguration. The mobile phone 900 includes an MPU 910 for controllingoperation of the mobile phone 900; a fan 920; and a fuel cell 930. Thefuel cell 930 supplies power to the MPU 910 and to the fan 920. The fan920 blows air into the mobile phone 900 from the outside in order tosupply air to the fuel cell 930, or in order to expel moisture evolvedin the fuel cell 930 from the inside of the mobile phone 900 to theoutside. The fan 920 may also be positioned on the MPU 910 as shown inFIG. 23C, to cool the MPU 910. Any of the various brushless motorsdescribed above can be used as the motor for driving the fan 920.

FIG. 24 is an illustration depicting an electrically powered bicycle(power assisted bicycle) as one example of a moving body that utilizes amotor/generator according to the embodiments of the present invention.This bicycle 1000 is provided with a motor 1010 on its front wheel; andwith a control circuit 1020 and a rechargeable battery 1030 disposed onthe frame below the saddle. The motor 1010 uses power from therechargeable battery 1030 to drive the front wheel, thereby assistingtravel. During braking, regenerative power from the motor 1010 is usedto charge the rechargeable battery 1030. The control circuit 1020 is acircuit for controlling driving and regeneration of the motor. Any ofthe various brushless motors described above can be used as the motor1010.

FIG. 25 is an illustration showing an example of a robot which utilizesa motor according to the embodiments of the present invention. Thisrobot 1100 has first and second arms 1110, 1120, and a motor 1130. Thismotor 1130 is used during horizontal rotation of the second arm 1120 asthe driven member. Any of the various brushless motors described abovecan be used as the motor 1130.

C2. Modified Example 2

The PWM control circuit of the invention is not restrictivelyincorporated in the brushless motor as described in the above embodimentbut may be mounted on any of various devices under PWM control.

C3. Modified Example 3

The structure of the embodiment uses the analog PLL circuit 606 (FIG.10) to implement the technique of the invention. The analog PLL circuit606 is, however, neither essential nor restrictive but may be replacedby a digital PLL circuit or a combination of multiple digital countersarranged to have the same functions as those of the digital PLL circuit.

1. A PWM control circuit, comprising: a PWM control signal generatorthat generates a PWM period signal defining a period of a PWM signal anda PWM resolution signal specifying a resolution in one period of the PWMperiod signal; and a PWM unit that generates the PWM signal based on thePWM period signal and the PWM resolution signal, wherein the PWM controlsignal generator changes a frequency of the PWM resolution signal whilekeeping a frequency of the PWM period signal unchanged.
 2. The PWMcontrol circuit according to claim 1, wherein the PWM control signalgenerator has a PLL circuit including a phase comparator, a loop filter,a voltage control oscillator, and a frequency divider, the PWM periodsignal is a return signal output from the frequency divider of the PLLcircuit and input into the phase comparator of the PLL circuit, and thePWM resolution signal is output from the voltage control oscillator ofthe PLL circuit.
 3. The PWM control circuit according to claim 1,wherein the PWM control signal generator has a PLL circuit including aphase comparator, a loop filter, a voltage control oscillator, and afrequency divider, the PWM period signal is a reference signal inputinto the phase comparator of the PLL circuit, and the PWM resolutionsignal is output from the voltage control oscillator of the PLL circuit.4. A motor, comprising the PWM control circuit according to claim
 1. 5.A device, comprising: the motor according to claim 4; and a drivenmember arranged to be driven by the motor.
 6. The device according toclaim 5, wherein the device is a projector.
 7. The device according toclaim 5, wherein the device is a portable device.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the device is a moving body.
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the device is a robot.